Almost every writer dreams of the day they’ll receive an acceptance letter or “The Call” from an agent or editor — but at what point does the novelty wear off? I know it sounds crazy. I mean, if it’s your dream, then why would you ever get tired of it? It’d be just as exciting the fifteenth time as the first? Right?
Except that doesn’t hold up. Think of the first time you did something new. Now think of doing it over and over again. It might still be fun for you, but will you feel the same child-like fascinated joy that you did the first time? Probably not.
I’ve been submitting my (mostly short) work for years. I’ve gathered a small collection of acceptances and publications. This spring, an e-publisher, Freya’s Bower, accepted me based on a 500 word writing sample to write a set of short stories for their “Bites” line. Let me tell you, that felt good, especially considering the sample in question was a snippet from the rough draft of my then-novel-in-progress. I was high on excitement.
This weekend, I received an acceptance letter from Liquid Silver for my erotic fantasy romance, A Passion Draconic. Was I excited about it? Oh, hell yes. I wasn’t sure if the book was good enough to sell, but my crit partners and beta readers assured me it was my hyper-critical nature. But … after the first fifteen exuberant minutes, it faded. Compare that to several days of squeeing over prior acceptances.
People have been congratulating me since and saying how stoked I must be — and I am, don’t get me wrong. But it’s not the same. In a way, it’s more a quiet affirmation: Yes, I can do this. I find myself treating it like something I knew was going to happen, even though I didn’t. Perhaps I’m just trying not to make a big deal out of it. (Or both.)
I can’t help but wonder how I’ll react to further acceptances — and rejections. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see. 
How about you? What have your experiences been with multiple acceptances and publications? Does it still hold a deep fascination or novelty, or is it just another part of the business? Either way, how do you feel about it?
Elisabeth Drake
http://www.emdrake.com
August 27th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
I think I’ve gotten so many rejections that I treat acceptance with cautious excitement.
August 27th, 2006 at 3:45 pm
I get rejected more than acceppted. And although each acceptance is a thrill, it’s not AS exciting as the first time. But then I’m sure that’s normal. Rejection have gone the same way, they don’t hurt as bad as the first time. But then again it depends. How high my hopes were.
August 28th, 2006 at 2:14 am
Well, I read my mail sipping margaritas by the pool every day as Manuel (my pool boy. Or is it Juan? I can never remember). Then I languishly tear open the several acceptances I have recieved and yawn. “What again? Another contract?” Ho hum.
Then I make Manuel (or Juan or whatever) put sunscreen on my back.
August 28th, 2006 at 2:22 am
Send Juan over when he’s done with you, BB.
August 30th, 2006 at 8:31 pm
I think a little of the squee factor fades, as you get more acceptances than rejections, but it’s still a thrill.
If I ever sell a book and think, ‘well duh’ or I don’t start grinning ear to ear, I’m going to have to take a good look at the size of my ego.